Gazette and Mercury says the Spaulding theory answers the question of the Book of Mormon's origins.

Date
May 7, 1839
Type
News (traditional)
Source
Gazette and Mercury
Non-LDS
Hearsay
Direct
Journalism
Reference

"The Mormon Bible," Gazette and Mercury (Greenfield, MA), May 7, 1839, accessed December 4, 2025

Scribe/Publisher
Gazette and Mercury
People
Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Jr., Gazette and Mercury, Solomon Spaulding
Audience
Reading Public
Transcription

The Mormon Bible.—The origin of this work, which it has puzzled many to account for, being evidently the production of a cultivated mind, yet found in the hands of exceedingly ignorant and illiterate persons, is at length explained. It was written in 1812, for amusement, as a historical romance of the lost race, the remains of whose numerous mounds and forts are found on the banks of the Ohio. The author was Rev. Solomon Spaulding, a graduate of Dartmouth College, who resided at New Salem, Ohio; and on the appearance of a Mormon preacher there, many of the friends of the deceased clergyman, recollected passages which he had read to them during the time he was engaged in composing it. On enquiry, the original manuscript was found among his papers. It also appeared that at one time he had some thoughts in relation to printing the work, and that it remained at a printing office for a long time. Sidney Rigdon, who has figured so largely in the history of the Mormons, was at that time employed in this printing office, and it was no doubt copied by him.

BHR Staff Commentary

This article from the Gazette and Mercury appears to be summarizing the Boston Daily Advertiser article from April 27, 1839. The Advertiser's article was also reprinted in the Daily National Intelligencer on May 3, 1839.

Citations in Mormonr Qnas
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